London Party!

planning this london themed get together was tough only because i had never seen it before, at least no prime examples here in the united states. i researched a lot!!! i looked at the jubilee party pictures being posted in england, i looked at 4th of july parties, i looked at parisian parties. it was tough to figure how i could make this look classic and not over done! so i did what i usually do when i can't find what i want...i make it!

i found a light blue table cloth at a local home goods shop. i ended up making a table runner from fabric i ordered from london. it looked very cath kidson, who is one of my favourite designs from there. i went to the flea market to find non-traditional mason jar for vases. in a previous post i mentioned i would post what i used them for....here they are. i used some as vases...tealight holders and photo holders. i bough two dozen red roses and a bunch of tiny roses called 'vivenne' roses for the middle. 

i printed out an iconic picture of queen elizabeth on her coronation day in 1952, it is one of my favorite photographs of the queen. the original is in color, however i changed it to black and white to fit my table layout. closing with the original zinc lid, i added a bow to add some color to the jar. 

i took of picture of some the items i was setting up. i was able to get some union jack napkins and plates at a store in downtown geneva. i had some one visiting london and had them pick up some harrod's london tea for me. using one of the mason jars i had spray painted pearl with a silver glitter lid rim, i created a paper straw holder. i found these great red and white straws, which looked fun in everyone's drinks. and no party is complete with out some mcvities biscuits, used for dipping in a cuppa tea!

i ended up making my own paper bunting. i found all sorts of red, navy and light blue paper. i even created my own paper triangles by shaded the page light blue and placing a picture of a young queen elizabeth on them. to give them a little something extra, i added a jewel to her crown. i placed the bunting around the counter where the food was going to be served, which lucky enough was cream with navy trim so everything matched perfectly. 

to greet everyone, i had a 'solar queen'. it is a little figure of the queen, whose purse is a solar panel. when she is placed in the sun, she waves.